Category: Book reviews

The Last Caretaker by Jessica Strawser My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully written, atmospheric, suspenseful book club book about domestic violence, and the courage and survival of a band of women determined to help those who need it. After a humiliating divorce, Katie accepts a job as a caretaker at a nature reserve.…

The Searcher by Tana French My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully written literary mystery. With the charming Irish humor shining through, I loved every minute of this book. Tana French books aren’t usually ones to fly through, and this one was no different. It’s one to be savored, enjoying the dry Irish humor,…

When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrissey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Intoxicating, gritty and elegant, this haunting murder mystery had me gripped from the start and featured everything I love in a thriller: gothic vibes, teenage angst, twists galore, and the agony and emotion of a compelling mother-daughter relationship. The story starts with a…

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf My rating: 5 of 5 stars This one deserves all the stars! I know I’m a bit late in the day here, but this is probably my top thriller all year! Absolutely intoxicating, engrossing and impossible to predict, I loved this gritty, elegant thriller. True crime writer Wylie Lark…

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay My rating: 5 of 5 stars An action-packed, immersive story about three former foster kids who are now targets of an assassination attempt. To survive, they’ll need to revisit the nightmares of their old foster home and confront a past they’ve worked hard to keep secret. Absolutely riveting…

The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas My rating: 5 of 5 stars A wildly original tale about Emilia Ward, bestselling mystery author, who suddenly finds that someone is replicating events in her brand new book. Except the book has only been read by a handful of people. Claire Douglas always writes compelling and likeable…

The Half Burnt House by Alex North Complex, gritty and eerie, fans of The Shadows will love the newest book by Alex North. While I did find it much more of a slow burn than The Whisper Man, it has that same suspenseful, creepy feel that is perfect for spooky season. It’s dark and complex,…

Dead Wind by Tessa Wegert My rating: 5 of 5 stars The third in the series, Dead Wind is intoxicatingly original, tense, and elegant. And with a kick-ass, formidable investigator in Shana Merchant, the book is impossible to put down. When Shana discovers she knows the latest victim, it drives her even more. How personal…

Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb My rating: 5 of 5 stars Expertly plotted and whip-smart, Deeper Than The Dead is an exceedingly clever crime thriller filled with secrets, betrayals, and complex characters. Webb manages to hit that sweet spot between family drama and police procedural. This one is sure to be a hit…

The Guest by B.A. Paris An expertly woven domestic drama that follows Iris and Gabriel, who, upon returning from a much-needed vacation, arrive home to find their friend, Laure, in their house. Laure has left her husband after learning of a devastating affair and a secret child, and she opts to stay with Iris and…

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware My rating: 5 of 5 stars How have I missed Ruth Ware for so long? The Turn of the Key is gothic, creepy, sinister, and absolutely unputdownable. Rowan Caine comes across an ad for a live-in nannying post, with a huge salary. It’s a dream come true.…

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gritty, well-written police procedural that had me gripped from the very first page. Our protagonist is Ben Packard, acting sheriff, a relatable, intriguing man who must balance his public-facing job with his private life as a gay man. When someone is…